Kirill Marchenko trade rumors had swirled since the draft, and it came to fruition when the Columbus Blue Jackets dealt him to the Toronto Maple Leafs right before the NHL roster submission deadline on Monday, Sept. 28.
The Blue Jackets get back forwards Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a second-round pick for Marchenko, 26, who scored 31 goals two seasons ago and had 27 goals last season. Forward Miles Wood and injured goalie Elvis Merzlikins also head to Toronto in the tarde.
Advertisement
Toronto agreed to terms with Marchenko on a six-year, $75 million extension with a cap hit of $12.5 million starting in 2027-28, agent Dan Milstein posted on social media.
Here are trade grades for the Columbus Blue Jackets-Toronto Maple Leafs deal involving Kirill Marchenko:
1 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Luke Evangelista was traded to the New Jersey Devils.
(Steve Roberts, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)
1 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Luke Evangelista was traded to the New Jersey Devils.
(Steve Roberts, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)
2 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Veteran winger Patrick Kane is returning to Chicago, signing a two-year deal with the Blackhawks after spending the last three seasons in Detroit.
(Danny Wild, Imagn Images)
3 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he will join brother Matthew.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
4 / 31
Top 30 NHL salaries for 2026-27 season
Forward Pavel Dorofeyev was traded to the New York Rangers.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
5 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Darnell Nurse was traded to the San Jose Sharks.
(David Gonzales, Imagn Images)
6 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Simon Nemec was traded to the Calgary Flames.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
7 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Vincent Trocheck was traded to the Utah Mammoth.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
8 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward JJ Peterka was traded to the Boston Bruins.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
9 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Mason McTavish was traded to the St. Louis Blues.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
10 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Mavrik Bourque was traded to the Nashville Predators.
(Steve Roberts, Imagn Images)
11 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Bowen Byram was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
12 / 31
Top 30 NHL salaries for 2026-27 season
Forward Alex Tuch joined the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade.
(Winslow Townson, Imagn Images)
13 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Jordan Kyrou was traded to the Washington Capitals.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
14 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Goalie Jacob Markstrom was traded to the Florida Panthers.
(David Kirouac, Imagn Images)
15 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Blake Coleman was traded to the Minnesota Wild.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
16 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Keegan Kolesar was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.
(James Guillory-Imagn Images)
17 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Nick Paul was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
18 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward William Eklund was traded to the Ottawa Senators.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
19 / 31
Top 30 NHL salaries for 2026-27 season
Defenseman Darren Raddysh joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade deal.
(Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images)
20 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Nick Paul was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Keito Newman, IMAGN IMAGES)
21 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Marcus Pettersson was traded to the New York Rangers.
(Stan Szeto, Imagn Images)
22 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo was traded to the New York Rangers.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
23 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Dennis Schneidler, Imagn Images)
24 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Goaltender Frederik Andersen signed with the Edmonton Oilers.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
25 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Viktor Arvidsson signed with the Detroit Red Wings.
(Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)
26 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Anthony Mantha signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
(Rob Gray, Rob Gray-Imagn Images)
27 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Mason Marchment signed with the San Jose Sharks.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
28 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman John Carlson was signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
29 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Jack Roslovic signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Perry Nelson, Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
30 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Jaden Schwartz signed with the Colorado Avalanche.
(Stephen Brashear, Imagn Images)
31 / 31
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Ian Cole signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
Kirill Marchenko trade details
According to multiple reports, the Columbus Blue Jackets traded forwards Kirill Marchenko and Miles Wood, plus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, to the Toronto Maple Leafs for forwards Matthew Knies and Steven Lorenz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a second-round pick. Columbus retains 18 percent of Merzlikins’ contract.
Advertisement
Kirill Marchenko trade grades
Columbus Blue Jackets – B+
This is a solid return for Marchenko, considering he reportedly did not want to re-sign with Columbus when his contract expires in July. Knies is three years younger than Marchenko and is a 6-foot-3 power forward. He totaled 52 goals over the past two seasons and could benefit from a change of scenery. He’s signed through 2030-31 at a reasonable $7.75 million cap hit. Dealing Wood and Merzlikins helps the Blue Jackets get under the salary cap after re-signing Adam Fantilli.
Toronto Maple Leafs – B+
Marchenko was the Blue Jackets’ leading goal scorer and could put up even bigger numbers playing in the Maple Leafs’ top six. Wood has plenty of speed, though he’s coming off a disappointing 14-point season. Andrae, acquired by Toronto this offseason, was available because the Maple Leafs signed Nick Blankenburg this week. New GM John Chayka has been busy reshaping the Leafs after their nine-season playoff streak ended.
Advertisement
Elsewhere in the NHL
Defenseman Alberts Smits, the No. 5 overall pick in 2026, made the New York Rangers’ opening roster. He played for Latvia in the Olympics, world championships and world junior championships.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kirill Marchenko trade grades: Who won Blue Jackets-Maple Leafs deal?
